Best health & medical charities
33 health & medical charities, ranked by rating, with GiveWell picks first. Every rating, EIN and filing was checked in October 2026.
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Helen Keller International
Combats causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition, with highly effective vitamin A supplementation programs.
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New Incentives
Gives caregivers small cash incentives for bringing infants to routine vaccination appointments, raising immunization rates in northern Nigeria.
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Against Malaria Foundation
Prevents malaria by distributing long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets in developing countries. Highly rated for cost-effectiveness.
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Malaria Consortium
Runs seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns that give young children preventive antimalarial medicine during the high-transmission rainy season.
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Direct Relief
Improves health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies by providing essential medical resources.
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Malaria No More
Mobilizes political commitment and funding to end deaths from malaria.
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Seva Foundation
Supports eye care programs that restore sight and prevent blindness in low-income communities.
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American Diabetes Association
Funds diabetes research and provides education and advocacy for people living with diabetes.
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American Heart Association
Funds cardiovascular and stroke research and promotes heart health through education and advocacy.
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American Lung Association
Works to prevent lung disease through research, education and advocacy for clean air.
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Advances cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.
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Fistula Foundation
Funds surgery to treat obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury, for women in low-income countries.
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Orbis International
Trains eye care teams, including aboard its Flying Eye Hospital, to prevent and treat blindness.
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Project HOPE
Trains health workers and delivers medical supplies in crisis zones and underserved communities.
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Partners In Health
Delivers high-quality healthcare to the world's poorest communities and advocates for global health equity.
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Smile Train
Trains local surgeons and funds free cleft lip and palate surgery in low- and middle-income countries.
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Alzheimer's Association
Leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia through research, care, and support.
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American Cancer Society
Improves the lives of people with cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support services.
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Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
Funds blood cancer research and provides patients with education, support and financial help.
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Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Provides emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare worldwide.
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Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Funds research and drug development for cystic fibrosis and supports a national network of care centers.
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Mercy Ships
Operates hospital ships providing free surgeries and healthcare to people in developing nations with limited access to care.
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Shriners Children's
Network of pediatric hospitals providing specialized orthopedic, burn and spinal care regardless of a family's ability to pay.
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Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)
Funds research toward cures and better treatments for type 1 diabetes.
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Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Raises money for member children's hospitals to fund equipment, care and research.
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Operation Smile
Provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip and cleft palate for children and young adults in low and middle-income countries.
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Susan G. Komen
Funds breast cancer research and helps patients get screening, treatment and support.
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Michael J. Fox Foundation
Funds research to find a cure for Parkinson's disease and develop better treatments.
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March of Dimes
Works to improve the health of moms and babies through research, education and advocacy.
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Sightsavers
Prevents avoidable blindness and supports people with visual impairments through treatment, education, and advocacy in developing countries.
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Fred Hollows Foundation
Treats and prevents blindness and other vision problems in developing countries and Indigenous Australian communities.
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Possible
Delivers high-quality, low-cost healthcare in rural Nepal, proving that quality care is possible in the poorest communities.
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The Global Fund
Mobilizes and invests resources to end epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in the world's poorest countries.
How to judge health & medical charities
For global health charities, look for evidence based on randomized controlled trials, transparent cost-per-life-saved or cost-per-DALY (disability-adjusted life year) figures, and recent independent reviews. GiveWell's published cost-effectiveness analyses are the most rigorous public resource. For US-focused health charities, check the program-to-overhead ratio and how they measure patient outcomes, not just patients served.
What these charities do
Health and medical charities deliver care through a combination of direct service (clinics, mobile units, hospital ships), supply distribution (bed nets, vaccines, vitamin supplements), and partnerships with ministries of health and local healthcare workers. The most cost-effective operate in low- and middle-income countries where every dollar reaches further. Funding supports medicine procurement, clinical staffing, training local healthcare workers, and infrastructure like cold-chain logistics for vaccines.
- Mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria
- Childhood immunization campaigns reaching remote and underserved populations
- Vitamin A and micronutrient supplementation to reduce child mortality
- Direct surgical and emergency medical care in conflict zones and disaster areas
- Training local healthcare workers and strengthening community health systems
Ways to help beyond a donation
- Recurring monthly gifts let organizations plan procurement of bed nets, medicines, and equipment
- Designate gifts to a specific program rather than the general fund if you want clearer impact reporting
- Use employer matching programs — many companies double or triple gifts to registered health nonprofits
- Donate appreciated stock instead of cash to avoid capital gains tax
- Spread the word on social media — many health charities note that awareness drives a measurable share of new donors
Frequently asked
What is the highest-rated health & medical charity?
Among the 33 health & medical charities in our directory, Direct Relief, Malaria No More and Seva Foundation share the highest Charity Navigator score, 100%. Helen Keller International, New Incentives, Against Malaria Foundation and Malaria Consortium are also recommended by GiveWell, which ranks charities by cost-effectiveness rather than accountability. Ratings checked October 2026.
How many health & medical charities have a 4-star rating?
29 of the 33 health & medical charities we list hold Charity Navigator's top rating of 4 stars. Each charity's page shows its exact score, its EIN and its recent Form 990 financials.
How do I choose a health & medical charity?
For global health charities, look for evidence based on randomized controlled trials, transparent cost-per-life-saved or cost-per-DALY (disability-adjusted life year) figures, and recent independent reviews. GiveWell's published cost-effectiveness analyses are the most rigorous public resource. For US-focused health charities, check the program-to-overhead ratio and how they measure patient outcomes, not just patients served.
How we rank: GiveWell and Animal Charity Evaluators picks come first, then charities by Charity Navigator's overall score. Financials come from each charity's IRS Form 990, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. More on our method.